Fishing

How do I fish for lake trout?
Our primary method is trolling however you can fly-fish, cast or jig the crystal clear waters of Point Lake to reel in the catch of a lifetime.

What is the best time to come fishing?
Although Point Lake is typically ice-free during the first week in July, we wait almost ten days to start our trips because of seasonal changes in the spring melt and because the trout appear to be more active when the temperature of the water warms up. You might wonder what week is the best week to come but any time is ideal for fishing monster lake trout during our month-long season. One opportunity provided by booking later in the season is the chance to see barren-ground caribou beginning their migration south toward the treeline.

What is the average weight of a catch?
The majority of lake trout caught weigh between 8 and 20 pounds. However, each season many of our anglers are rewarded with 30+ to 40+ pound fish.

What is our record?
58 lbs caught by Ray Lipkin, Minneapolis, MN.

Are lake trout hard fighting fish?
Lake trout are probably the hardest fighting of all fresh water fish. Please check out the lake trout page for more information.

Can I keep my catch?
To ensure the quality of fishing remains high for years to come we have implemented a “barbless hook” and “catch and release” program. Of course, we make exceptions for those unforgettable shore lunches and northern dinners.

Is my fishing license included in the package?

No, it will however your license will be ready for you to sign upon your arrival at the lodge.

What do I need to Bring?
It is very important that you pack carefully, and in particular, make sure that you have any required medications packed in your carry-on bag. The climate along the can be highly variable and weather can change from one hour to the next, thereby we recommended that you dress in layers so that you can adjust your comfort during your excursions from the Lodge as required. We have prepared a detailed list of items that should be considered during your packing. To download this list, please click this link. What to Bring (coming soon).

Photography

What is the best type of camera to bring?
A digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera with interchangeable lenses is the best all round camera to bring. Some folks bring a second camera as a backup. Smaller digital compact cameras and smart phones are OK for snapshots, but they won't allow you to photograph the aurora or get closeups of wildlife.

What are the best lenses to bring for my DSLR camera?
There will primarily be opportunities to photograph the landscape and closeups, wildlife and the northern lights. For wildlife a telephoto lens 200 mm focal length or longer is best. Zoom lenses like a 70-200, 100-400 mm are easy to carry and provide sufficient magnification. Longer lenses such as 300 to 600 mm focal length are also good provided you can carry them. For landscapes wide angle zoom lenses are ideal e.g. 16-35 mm, 24-70 mm focal length are all good for capturing large scenic vistas. For aurora photography, you will need a fast wide angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, f/2 or f/1.4 for the best results. For closeup photographs you can use a macro lens, closeup filters or extension tubes. Note you can also rent lenses from your local camera store for a week or so if prefer not to buy one.

Will I need a tripod?
A tripod is essential for taking photographs of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights). Ideally bring one that comes to your shoulders in height so its comfortable to work with while standing and is not too heavy to carry if you want to bring it along on hikes or in the boat. For wildlife some photographers prefer to use a mono pod to steady their long lenses and it also serves as a walking stick. By upping the ISO speed of your camera it's possible to get sharp pictures of wildlife using fast shutter speeds of 1\500 sec and hand-holding. If you would like advice about tripods see this review article by R. Berdan www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/tripod.html (Avoid the really cheap plastic tripods, a good tripod will cost about $150 and up).

Do I need extra batteries and my battery charger?
Absolutely, you should bring at least one extra battery, 2 would be better and your battery charger. This way you can swap in a new battery anytime and not have to worry. Electrical power is provided for battery chargers via a solar system and generator at the lodge. Always carry a spare battery with you so you don't run out of power when something interesting is happening.

Should I bring my camera manual?
Yes - unless you know everything about your camera, we recommend you bring the manual so Robert can help you should you need it. Robert shoots with Nikon and Canon gear, but different models and manufacturers often have features that are buried in menus and the manual helps us find them if we need to.

Can I bring and shoot will a film camera?
Certainly, however you won't have the ability to see your pictures until you get them processed and even very high ISO film (e.g. 1600) can't compare to the ease and flexibility of photographing the aurora as digital cameras do. Shooting with film however works fine with landscapes and wildlife. To shoot aurora with film try to bring 1600 ISO film for best results.

What other photo-accessories do you recommend?
A small pair of binoculars is useful for finding wildlife on the tundra and looking at the stars at night. A waterproof camera bag to protect your gear while hiking is recommended and a plastic bag to cover and protect your comera if it should rain. Also bring a pair of finger gloves that you can wear and still manipulate your camera - especially at night. Some folks bring hand-warmers and keep one in their pocket while shooting at night. A small portable flashlight or head lamp for working with your camera in the dark will be very handy and don't forget to bring fresh batteries. Lens cloth or lens paper is handy to clean your lens or to wipe off moisture that can condense on your camera lens at night when its cold out.

Should I bring extra memory cards, a laptop or a portable hard drive?
Bring as many memory cards as you can, total of 32 GB or more. It is better to have more cards than not enough as there won't be an opportunity to buy more on the tundra. If you want to look at your files, you can bring a light-weight laptop or tablet. Portable hard drives are useful for making image backups if you fill your cards. Robert will have his laptop which he will also use to show slide presentations in the evening and can also be used to check some of your digital images to be sure everything is working fine.

Is any particular camera brand recommended?
Not really, there are many good camera brands, however Canon and Nikon are the most popular. If you have one of these cameras you may be able to share or try lenses from some of the other participants or from Robert. Sony, Olympus, Pentax also make good DSLR cameras though they are not as popular and have fewer lenses to choose from.

Will there be instruction on how to take photographs?
Each evening at the lodge there will be slide show on various aspects of photography. Robert will also be available to assist you with your camera and photography throughout the trip in the field and will provide tips on how to take better photos to those that want it. If you don't need instruction, that is fine, we do get some professional photographers who simply want great photo opportunities. Our guides will also try to accommodate individual requests for pursuing specific subjects or those that want to hike faster or further. Robert will help you setup your camera for aurora photography so you bring back sharp and properly exposed photos. For expert photographers you may want to consider taking digital movies, time lapse movies and panoramic images. Robert will happy to help you if you are new to those photographic techniques and he will also have Photoshop and other software on his laptop to demonstrate if there is interest.

Will all of our time be structured or scheduled for us or will there be time when we can just take pictures on our own?
You will have time to rest, read, relax or photograph around Yellowknife and around the lodge on your own. For safety reasons at the lodge you will need to stay within a safe distance of the lodge, though you can always request one of the guides to come with you if you want to venture further. There are excellent sunrise and sunset photo-opportunities at point lake in front of the lodge, sometimeswe get ptarmigan and other wildlife (short tailed weasels) around the lodge. There are numerous opportunities to photograph colourful plants (bearberry), dwarf willow, cloud berries, blue berries and many forms of lichen right around the lodge.

Do you recommend any particular photo filters?
A polarizing filter is useful for taking landscape photos of the tundra. A neutral density grad filter is useful for sunrises and sunsets, but some photographers prefer to take several different exposures and combine them to produce high dynamic range photos (HDR) using different software. No filters should be used when photographing the aurora.

Do I need to be a really good photographer to enjoy the tour?

No, in fact no camera is required at all, though we recommend that you do bring at least a compact camera to bring back some memories. Watching the aurora and seeing wildlife on the tundra is exciting even without a camera and if you want some pictures Robert can make some of his images available.

How fit do I need to be to join the tour?
We try to accommodate all fitness levels, however, you should be able to walk at least 1-2 km and carry a bottle of water and your camera. On some trips we will travel by boat in order to explore the shoreline and point lake. A good pair of hiking shoes or boots are recommended along with all weather wear clothing. It is a good idea to get out and walk regularly before you come. The tundra can be soft and mushy and includes a mix of hills to climb. There are plenty of opportunities to photograph landscapes and wildlife within a few feet of your cabin at the lodge.

How cold will it get on the tour?
Weather is unpredictable, however generally the days on the tundra in September can rise as high as 20-22°C (68-70°F) on warm days, but it can also drop to around 0°C with rain or snow. At night temperatures can drop below freezing, so bring a warm toque, winter coat and if you get cold easily some fleece or long underwear. There are special safety coats provided when we travel by boat that are always available at the lodge. The cabins are equipped with heaters so no worries there. It's best to dress in layers to accommodate changes in the weather.

What is the best time of night to photograph the Aurora borealis?
The aurora can appear anytime it's dark near Yellowknife or at the lodge, however in September it starts to get dark about 9:30 pm. Provided it's a clear night the aurora often starts gradually and increases in brightness and activity around midnight (substorm) and can extend to the early hours of the morning. We check the aurora forecast each evening in Yellowknife. At the lodge we only have to step outside the cabins to see if the aurora is putting on a show. The lodge offers one of the darkest clearest skies on the planet and stars can be seen right down to the horizon.

Can I charge my camera and/or video battery while at the lodge?
Yes

General

What do I need to Bring?
It is very important that you pack carefully, and in particular, make sure that you have any required medications packed in your carry-on bag. The climate can be highly variable and weather can change from one hour to the next, thereby we recommended that you dress in layers so that you can adjust your comfort during your excursions from the Lodge as required. We have prepared a detailed list of items that should be considered during your packing. To download this list, please click this link. What to Bring (coming soon) General.

When do I need to arrive in Yellowknife?
The day before your scheduled trip.

When can I book my return trip home?
You can book your flight leaving Yellowknife on the evening of the last day of your scheduled trip. If you are flying further then Edmonton, AB you can overnight there and take a morning flight home. You also can stay in Yellowknife after you return from the lodge and then departing the following morning. Please refer to either our fishing or hunting trip itineraries for further details.

Will you pick me up at the Yellowknife airport?
Yes, we offer personalized ground transportation from the Yellowknife airport, hotel and float base.

Is the water safe to drink?
Yes, we are fortunate to live in an area where the water is pure, clean and clear. This is some of the freshest water in the world. You can dip your cup in the lake and take a drink.

Are there luggage restrictions?
Our plane limits baggage to 70 lbs, including luggage and carry-on bags. Should you need to downsize your luggage in Yellowknife we can safely hold your luggage until your return.